Machine for pulling cotton-stalks.



J. D. ANDERSON. MACHINE FOR PULUNG COTTON STALKS.

APPL|CATION FILED JULY H, 1916.

Patented Apr. 17, 1917.

JAMES 1). ANnnnsoN, or Jnnno, ALABAMA.

MACHINE FOR PULLING COTTON-STALKS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 17, 1917.

Application filed July 1 1, 1916. Serial No. 108,591.

pulling cotton stalks, and pertains especially to improvements in certain parts, and to improvements in the construction and arrangement of the various parts.

The object of the invention is to provide a revoluble wheel having radial side pockets containing stalk-pulling clamps, and to furnish novel and peculiar means for closing the clamps in clamping a stalk during the revolution of the whee A further object of the invention is to provide in a cotton stalk-pulling machine, a revoluble wheel containing laterally swinging clamps, means for closing the clamps on a stalk, during the revolution of the wheel, and means for limiting the opening movement of the clamps, during the revolution of the wheel.

A still further object of the invention is to provide in a stalk-pulling machine, a special spreader and rake device suspended by the frame of the machine and adaptedto be operated. in connection with the stalk clamps to facilitate the opening of the clamps and to prevent the clamps becoming clogged and to clean or clear the clamps preparatory to repeated stalk clamping opera-tlons.

Various other objects, advantages and improved results are attainable in the practical application of the invention, as will hereinafter be fully set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming part of this application Figure 1 is a top plan view partly broken cams, during the rotary movement of the away.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on the dotted line A-A, Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a detail cross section of a pocket and a clamp, the dotted lines showing the clamp in closed position.

Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of one of the cam-rings.

Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of the clamp-spreading attachment.

Fig. 6 is a detail side view showing means for adjustably connecting the cam-rings with the side frame of the machine.

The same reference characters denote the sameparts throughoutthe several views of the drawings.

The machine carriage comprises a frame 1, a tongue? secured to'and projecting from the front of the-frame, an axle 3 journaled in and projecting from each side of the frame, and surface wheels 4 secured'upon the axle ends.

A special wheel is secured to andcentral of the axle 3, by means of-a square hub 6. The wheel'comprises a central web 7 having pockets 8 arranged in pairs and projectingradiallyffrom each side of the web 7 opposite each other. The pockets extend from near the central'portion of the web 7 to the periphery of the web, so that each pair of pockets appears V-shaped in cross section. I Each pocket contains a clamping member consisting of an arm 9 pivoted in the bottom of the pocket at 5, and projecting'from the pocket and beyond the periphery of the web 7. The free end of the arms 9 is provided with a clamping'jaw 10, and these jaws are operated, aswill hereinafter be explained, for clamping cotton stalks therebetween, so that. the stalks are pulled out of the ground during. the revolution of the pocket wheel.

In order to have the clamps successively grasp the stalks during the revolution of the wheel as the machine is drawn forward, I provide a pair of rings 12 between which the pocket wheel is revolved so that the clamping j aws project between and beyond the periphery of the rings. The rings are provided with a cam flange 13, and said rings are connected with the frame 1 by means of brace bars 14, so as to fix the cams in proper position for closing the clamping members together upon a stalk by reason of the clamping jaws being revolved against the wheel. During said movement of the wheel the clamping members swing open'laterally with respect to each other until they engage the cams. In order to permit the pocket wheel to revolve between the rings 12, while the latter are held stationary, the bars 14 are attached at one end to lugs 13 on the inner periphery of the rings 12,;and the other end of said bars is adjustably secured in brackets 11 secured to the upper and lower faces of the frame 1, opposite the axle-bearings, as clearly shown in Fig. 6. The bars 14 may be adjusted to vary the space between the cams 13, and thereby regulate the space between the clamping jaws according to the size or character of stalks to be clamped for pulling.

The clamp-spreading device for insuring the dislodgment of the stalks, and for keeping the clamps free of weeds or other interfering material, comprises an arm 15 pivoted at 15 to a standard 16 secured to and projecting above the frame 1, so as to hold the arm 15 in position over-hanging the pocket wheel, and a spiral spring 17 controls the movement of the arm 15. The free end of the arm 15 has a V-shaped beveled end 18, which rides over the clamping jaws for clearing the latter of weeds or other material. The arm-15 is provided with a plate 19 having an arrow head spreader 20 working between the clamping members for clearing the clamps during the revolution of the pocket wheel. The arrow head 20 successively opens the clamps as they approach the stalks, and the ring cams close the clamps upon the stalks during and after the pulling operation until the clamps pass out of engagement with the cams, whereupon theclamps are free to open or to be opened by the arrow head for dropping the stalks.

It will be seen that the pocket wheel is attached to the revoluble axle, the cam rings are fixed against rotary movement, the rings overlap the wheel pockets, and the ring cams having their widest portion opposite the stalks and nearest the ground, said cams forcing the jaws to clamp the stalks at the root or ground surface and thereby extricate the root as well as the stalk.

It will also be seen that the weeding and clamp spreading device prevents the machine from becoming choked or clogged with stalks, roots, weeds, or the like.

I do not wish to confine my invention to any particular size or material in the construction of the parts, nor to the number of wheel pockets and clamps, but reserve to myself the right to make such changes and variations in the machine and in the different parts thereof in the manufacture and practical application of the invention as may come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a stalk pulling machine, the combination with a carriage, a revoluble pocketed wheel and stalk clamps carried by the pockets, of a pair of cam rings between which the clamps are revolved, brackets fixed to the carriage frame, and bars attached to the rings and adjustable in thebrackets for ad justably holding the rings during the revolution of said wheel.

2. In a stalk pulling machine, a pair of non-revoluble rings having opposite cams, a wheel revoluble between the rings, pockets upon each side ofthe wheel and opening at the periphery of the wheel, a clamping member secured in each pocket and project- 'ing therefrom between the rings, said members being closed by the cams during the revolution of the wheel.

3. In a stalk pulling machine, a revoluble wheel having peripheral pockets, a pair of cam rings ov erlapping'the wheel, and stalk clamps projecting from the pockets and adapted to be closed by the cams, of a clamp spreader suspended over the wheel, and a clamp cleaner cooperating with the spreader during stalk pulling revolutions of the wheel.

4. In a stalk pulling machine, a revoluble stalk pulling wheel comprising a central web, pockets radiating from the central portion of the web on opposite sides thereof to the periphery of the web, clamps contained in the pockets and having stalk clamping jaws projecting beyond the periphery of the wheel, and a pair of nonrevoluble cam rings surrounding the wheel with said jaws rotatable between the rings for closing the clamps in a stalk pulling operation.

In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand in the presence of two witnesses.

JAMES D. ANDERSON.

I/Vitnesses JAMES A. ANDERSON, D. M. MAXWELL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. O. 

